The ERC is dedicated to funding frontier research that explores uncharted territories, fosters interdisciplinary collaboration, and pushes the boundaries of knowledge. This research often leads to valuable insights and practical applications that address complex global challenges, benefiting society as a whole.

Explore the section below to discover how ERC-funded projects transcend the mere advancement of scientific and technological knowledge. This section includes comprehensive reports derived from various analyses outlining how ERC’s portfolio contributes to major EU policy priorities. The groundbreaking research supported by the ERC has nurtured the development of innovative approaches that have the potential to positively impact various aspects of our lives.

Contribution to policies

• Innovation: ERC Proof of Concept Grants: Exploring the innovation potential of ERC funded research – HEurope and H2020 (2025) (PDF)
• Transformative Change: Transformative change for a sustainable future (2024) (PDF)
• Gene editing: CRISPR/Cas technology: a revolution in gene editing (2024) (PDF)
• Artificial Intelligence (2024) (PDF)
• Democracy (2024) (PDF)
• Biodiversity (2023) (PDF)
• Food2030: Sustainable food production and consumption (2023) (PDF)
• European Green Deal (2022) (PDF)
• EU4Health (2022) (PDF)
• Europe Fit for the Digital Age (2022) (PDF)

Exploring ERC Frontier Research

• Citizen Science in Frontier Research: Citizen science in ERC projects (2022) (PDF)
• Mapping of ERC funded research:
  • Mapping ERC Frontier Research – H2020 (2022) (PDF)
  • ERC Proof of Concept Grants: Exploring the innovation potential of ERC funded research – HEurope and H2020 (2025) (PDF)
  • ERC Frontier Research in Life Sciences – H2020 (2022) (PDF)
  • ERC Frontier Research in Physical Sciences and Engineering – H2020 (2022) (PDF)
  • ERC Frontier Research in Social Sciences and Humanities – H2020 (2022) (PDF)
  • ERC Frontier Research in the Synergy Grant scheme – H2020 (2022) (PDF)

--> A summary of the findings can be found in this ERC press release (July 2022).

Taken from Mapping ERC Frontier Research: an overview (ERC website)